We took this trip in 2019 during January as an extension of our stay in Cuba.
For our transfers and tours we pre - arranged them with Genchi Tours & Family.
Deciding on a hotel in the Riviera Maya is not easy. There are 1000s of options along the coastline.
We decided we didn't like Cancún as it's too busy and we didn't like to sit in a hotel next to hotel next to hotel environment. Playa del Carmen is more quiet but still feels very much hotel next to hotel at the coastline. I found a good deal with UNICO 20 87 which is usually a rather expensive resort. It's located 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and about 1 hour from Cancun Airport.
Until now UNICO 20 87 is still the best All Inclusive resort that we have stayed. It's simply amazing...
When we arrived we received welcome drinks and were introduced to our relationship manager who can book tours or any other service.
The hotel also has an app in which you can find all kinds of information or order room service. The app is really good!
Our room was an Alcoba ocean front view located in Building 1.
I believe this is the best building thus we requested a room there as it is quietly located. The rooms buildings 3-6 face the pool and can have some music during the day and early evening. Building 8 faces another pool even though it's the quiet pool. Building 2 should be great too. Building 7 is just above the buffet restaurant.
The rooms feature a bathtub on the balcony
Nearly everything was included in our stay, all food, room service, pool and beach drinks/towels service. Only some very expensive alcoholic drinks were an extra payment. The buffet and a la carte restaurants are also all included but have to be reserved in advance.
We ate at all of the restaurants and without exception all were fantastic. Food was great, neither of us had any upset stomach or belly from our whole stay which I read is common in Mexico.
On our first day we visited Chichen Itza, a 2:30 drive from the hotel one way. Genchi arranged an extremely early pick up to beat the crowds and to arrive at the opening time which was great as the first hour there were very few tourists.
The site is massive, we spend around 4 hours exploring.
For lunch we ate in Valladolid in Bazar Municipal which was disappointed food.
We continued to Ek Balam and a Cenote
The cenote was nice, there are so many to visit in the area. Ours was a less popular one but maybe less picture beautiful. Mind also the water is very cold!
Then we drove another 3 hours back to our hotel.
The next day we relaxed at the hotel
The beach is great although some stones are around.
Following day we went to Bacalar, this was a 3:30 drive thus we did spend alot of time in the car. But it was worth it!
We rented a boat for a few hours, there are so many different colors of blue due to the sinkholes.
The pirates channel is very shallow and fantastic to walk around or swim
Not all areas are deep and you could easily walk in the crystal blue water!
Next to the lake there are some corruption funded properties .
On the way back we visited Chacchoben, a less visited ruin. We were all alone together with some monkeys. I found it more beautiful than Chichen Itza even! Nature surrounding the ruins is great and without a single tourist it's amazing to visit.
We relaxed another 2 days at the hotel followed by a way shorter trip to the Tulum ruins.The day we chose to visit was however not so sunny and alot of people were visiting the ruins.
We also organized the next day an excursion to swim with the turtles near Akumal by boat. The area is known for turtles due to the seagrass which they like to eat. The excursion is organized from the Grand Palladium hotel next to UNICO 20 87.
While we did see a turtle the experience is not the best. There are alot of boats at the same time with each around 20 tourists we felt poor for the turtles...
We loved our trip to the Riviera Maya. I am glad we didn't stay in Cancun. Unico 20 87 is a fantastic resort.
Our tours with Genchi were lovely we both with both of them, the husband drove us in the long days and the wife to Tulum. On the last day they were there together to drive us back to the airport. They are Such a lovely couple we wish them the best! Should you visit Riviera Maya you can contact them through Instagram you will not be disappointed with them!
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